Electric switch



June 2, 1931. w. F. NEUBECK ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed May 13. 1929 Patented June 2, 1931 PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM F. NEUBECK, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed May 13, 1929. Serial No. 362,603.

This invention relates to improvements in electric switches and has particular reference to a switch for use in connection with direction signals for motor vehicles. I

The general object of the invention resides in a switch especially constructed for operation by the drag link of the steering mechanism during the actuation of the steering mechanism to turn the vehicle either right or left.

One of the main objects of this inventio is to provide an electric direction signal switch adapted to be mounted on a stationary part, such as the chassis or fender, of a motor vehicle adjacent the drag link and which includes an insulating bloc-k having a pocket, an extensible helical spring switch arm pivoted to swing between two specially constructed a switch contacts, all enclosed within the pocket of the block, the switch arm being pivotally connected at a point im mediately below the block, to the drag link, by loosely connected similar extensible helical spring links to accommodate the relative vertical movements of the chassis with respect to the drag link which, in cooperation with a friction element mounted on the connecting eye of the switch arm, prevents accidental operation of the switch arm when traveling over an uneven or rough road.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in an electric switch, an insulating block to house the spring switch arm and contacts, having a concave surface adapted to allow for any obstruction, such as a bolt head or nut, which might be present at the place where the switch is to be secured.

A further object resides in the provision of means adapted to cooperate with the insulating block whereby the spring switch arm is maintained in neutral position irrespective of the vibration or jolting of the vehicle when travelling over an uneven or rough road.

A further object resides in the novel construction of the electric switch contacts by providing concave surfaces on said contacts so disposed with relation to the helical spring switch arm, that when the latter is caused to bear against either switch contact to complete an electric circuit, the contacting surfaces are substantially coincident, thus providing a positive, enduring and timely electrical connection. 7

It has been found by experiment that for the efficient operation of the device, it is essential that the helical extensible switch arm, when in neutral position, be unaffected by the vibration or jolting of the vehicle and this is accomplished by providing a helical spring switch arm of such length that when normally retracted its helix is wholly contained within the pocket of the block and its connecting eye extending through the opening of the pocket, and by further providing a friction element mounted on the connecting eye of the switch arm which is adapted, when the vehicle traverses a rough road, to frictionally engage the bottom of the insulating block to hold the switch arm in neutral position and prevent possible swinging or flexing of the latter and thereby prevent accidental actuation of the signal. Thus, any upward pressure due to vibration or jolting of the vehicle will spend itself, firstly, in contracting the spring switch arm and spring connecting links and, then, in buckling the connecting links without affecting the position of the spring switch arm.

It has been further found that for eflicient operation of the switch, a predetermined distance between the switch contacts and the helical switch arm must be maintained. This requirement is essential so that the switch arm may cooperate with either switch contact to close an electrical circuit at the very moment the steering mechanism is caused to be operated to make the desired turn; for, if the proper distance is not maintained, the electrical circuit would not be completed until the vehicle had already commenced to make the turn, that is, the signal would be .delayed or retarded.

If conventional cylindrical switch contacts were used, then, since the helical spring switch arm is substantially circular in crosssection, the surfaces would virtually contact at a point and with continual recurring use the contacting surfaces would very soon wear to such a degree that the signal would be delayed or retarded; and, furthermore, if a high resistance substance casually found its way to the point of contact, the switch would fail to function.

To overcome this disadvantage, I have pro vided in my device switch contacts having concave surfaces disposed with relation to the helical spring switch arm so that when the latter is caused to bear against either switch contact to complete on electrical circuit, the contacting surfaces are substantially coincident, thus providing a positive, enduring and timely electrical connection.

It has been further found that for proper operation of the switch, it is essential that the same be mounted so that the switch arm and connecting links are in true horizontal or vertical position, therefore, since the drag link moves arcuately, it is necessary to have at least two flexible and extensible links joining the switch arm to the drag link, as otherwise, if only a-single connecting link were used, and after a brief constant use, the latter would lose its shape and interfere with the successful operation of the switch.

In the present state of the art there are numerous electric switches used to signal the application of a brake 'or the turning of a vehicle, wherein electrical contact is made through the intermediate operation of flexible means with the part moved, but they are generally impractical, complicated, and numerous in parts, easily put out of commission by use, and which cannot be mounted without difliculty.

In one type, parts of the switch are mounted on the pitman arm and move therewith to make electrical contact with stationary contacts. The disadvantage of this type of electric switch lies in the fact that, aside from the difficulty of mounting, the device receives considerable wear and with constant' use, parts of the. device will loosen from the pitman arm.

In another type of control switch for vehicle signals there is provided a helical spring as a flexible contact memberinsulatedly mounted at one end in a conducting sleeve, the free end of the spring extending a distance beyond the sleeve and connected by flexible means to a brake mechanism, and as the brake rod is. caused to be actuated, the helical spring contacts with the sleeve and thus closes an electrical circuit. The disadvantage of this type lies in the fact that as the helical spring extends a distance beyond the sleeve there is nothing to prevent the flexing of that part of the helical spring within the sleeve and making accidental electrical contact therewith, when travelling along an uneven or rough road. Furthermore, when the device is in operation the surface contact between the helical spring and the sleeve is very small and continual recurring use of the device will very shortly wear the contacting parts, and thus either causing delay or retardati-on of the signal or failure to function.

It is the purpose of this invention to overcome, among others, the above mentioned disadvantages.

With the above and other objects in View, the invention resides in certain novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational View of an automobile showing my improved electric switch mounted for operation thereon.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

-Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View through my improved switch, showing the helical spring switch arm in retracted position and the gripping element frictionally engaging the block, which occurs when the automobile travels over a rough road.

Figure 3a is a fragmentary enlarged view of one of the switch contacts.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3, exceptthat the helical spring switch arm and gripping element are shown in operative position.

Figure 5 illustrates a modified form of switch contact.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings, the reference numeral 10 designates the chassis of an automobile and 11 the steering mechanism therefor, which includes a drag link 12 for actuating my improved switch 13 for controlling the operation of any direction signal device operable by electricity and which is intended to indicate right and left turns. The switch 13 above referred to comprises a substantially rectangular insulating block or casing 14 composed preferably of rubber, having a'concave side 20' adapted to house any obstruction, such as a nut or bolthead 38, which might exist at the place where the switch is secured and a substantially bell shaped pocket or cavity 15 which extends to' the bottom face of the block for a purpose to be presently explained. The concave side of the block 14 is provided with grooves 15' which extend tonne of the ends of the block.

Electric wires (not shown) are adapted to pass through the grooves 15 for connection with paralleled spaced electric switch contacts 16 and 17, mounted in the block 14 within the bell-shaped pocket15, substantially par allel to the bottom face of the block. One of the grooves 15' leads to a terminal 18 to which one end of a helical spring switch arm 19 is pivotally connected. The spring switch arm 19 is disposed midway of the switch contacts 16 and 17 and has its helix wholly contained within the bell-shaped pocket 15, when normally retracted, and has a connecting eye or loop 23 which extends through the opening of 7 the pocket and immediately below the bottom of the block. The grooves 15 are closed by a concave cover plate 20 which is held to the block 14 by screws or like fastening elements 21. The block 14 is mounted upon the chassis 10 of the automobile or to any suitable stationary part thereof by a bracket or frame 22.

The switch contacts 16 and 17 are made preferably of threaded metallic stock with conventional slotted heads, and have concave surfaces 37 and are adapted to be adjusted by means of a suitable tool (not shown) engaging the slotted head so that the helical surface of the spring switch arm 19 is caused to bear directly against the contact'at its concave section, for the purpose hereinafter described. The distances between the switch contacts and switch arm when in neutral position, are predetermined for proper operation of the signal. Due to the relatively large contacting surface thus produced, the frictional wear and its efiect in causing delay or retardation of the signal become negligible. If, after considerable wear, the bearing surfaces of the switch contacts become worn so that electrical connection cannot be made rapid enough, a slight turn of the contacts will present a new surface which will last sufficientlylong enough until the contacts can be conveniently changed.

A modified form of contact is'shown in Figure 5, having four concave contacting surfaces so that if one surface wears, then, by a turn of the contact, with a screw driver, another concave surface will be presented.

As stated above, one end of the helical spring switch arm 19 is pivotally connected to the terminal 18. The other end of the same is pivotally connected, at its connecting eye or loop 23, to the eye or loop 24 provided on one of the free ends of a pair of helically wound extensible spring links 25. The other free end of the links 25 is provided with an eye 26 which is adapted to pass through any one of a plurality of openings 27 provided in an extension arm 28 made of insulating material. The extension arm 28 is fixedly held by a clamp 29 which receives the drag link 12 and which is held on the drag link by a threaded bolt 30 which passes through opposed ears and to which and with which a clamping nut 31 is threaded.

The flexible helical links 25 which are loosely connected at their meeting ends are normally disposed in alignment with the flexible helical switch arm 19, but which are capable of breaking at their joints during movement of the chassis downward with respect to the drag link 12. The spring links 25 and spring switch arm 19 are under a slight tension and accommodate for any normally slight movement of the chassis with respect to the drag link.

Mounted on the connecting eye 23 of the switch arm 19 and disposed exteriorly of the bottom of the block 14 is a flexible friction shield 32 made preferably of rubber composition, When the switch is connected to the drag link, at which time the spring links 25 and spring switch arm 19 are under slight ten sion, the friction shield 32 is in removed position from the block 14. During any downward movement of the chassis with respect to the drag link, which may be caused during the passage of the vehicle over an uneven or rough road, the flexible shield 32 would be pulled against the block 14 by the extensible helical spring switch arm 19 and frictionally engage the same to hold the switch arm against swinging movement or flexing, and prevent accidental operation of the switch, at which time the extensible helical links 25 buckle or flex outward Without affecting operation of the switch arm 19. r

In practice, it will be seen that the switch is normally in the position shown in full lines in the drawing, Figure 4, at which time the drag link 12 is in a position whereby the vehicle is travelling in a straight-away course. Should the operator of the vehicle actuate the steering mechanism to effect either a right or left turn, the drag link 12 will move horizontally causing the switch arm 19, to swing in either direction depending upon the direction of turn and as the switch arm 19 engages either of the contacts 16, 17, a circuit will be closed and which circuit operates a particular direction signal. When the steering mechanism is operated to return to a straight away direction, the drag link will actuate the switch arm 19, thus returning it to neutral position, where it is held against ordinary movement by tension on the springs. Now, if, while the switch arm 19 is in neutral position, the vehicle passes over a rough road thereby causing the chassis to move intermittently downward with respect to the drag link, then the gripping element 32 will be pulled against the bottom of'the block 14 by the retraction of the switch arm 19 and will frictionally engage the same to hold the switch arm in neutral position and the additional pressure will be spent in first retracting the connecting spring links 25 and then in buckling the latter at their pivotal joints.

It will be observed that on some makes of automobiles, the drag link may be closer to the chassis than in others, at which time, it will be necessary to cut down the length of the extension arm 28 to which the lower of the spring links 25 is connected, hence the showing of a plurality of openings in the arm 28.

If the drag link should be exceptionally close to the lower of the spring links 25, then the entire arm 28 is removed and the clamp applied in a position opposite to that shown and to which the lower end of the spring link is connected. In such case, it will be necessary to provide a layer of insulating material between the clamp 29 and the drag link 12.

tomo -bile for repair purposes.

Although I have described my improvements with considerable detail and with respect to certain peculiar forms of my invention, I do not desire to be limited to such details, since *many changes and modifications may well be made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention in its broadest aspect.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an electric switch for mounting on a stationary part, the combination of a casing having an open face, apair of contacts within said casing, an extensible switch arm pivoted within the casing to swing between the contacts and extending through the open face thereof, a flexible link operatively connecting said switch arm to a movable part under tension, and a friction element mounted on said switch arm and normally held out of engagement with said casing when said switch arm is under tension, said friction element being adapted to frictionally engage with said casing in the event of a slackening of tension on said switch arm to hold the switch arm in an inoperative position.

2. In combination with a stationary part of an automobile and the drag link of the steering mechanism thereof, of a direction signal switch mounted on said stationary part, said switch including a casing open at one face, a pair of spaced contacts in said casing, an extensible switch arm pivoted therebetween, a plurality of loosely connected extensible springs, one of the free ends of said springs being connected to said switch arm, and the other free end of said springs being connected under tension to said drag link, and a friction element mounted on said switch arm and normally held out of engagement with said casing when said switch arm is under tension, said friction element being adapted to frictionally engage with said cas ing in the event of a slackening of tension on said switch arm and said springs to hold the switch arm in an inoperative position.

3. An electric switch for mountin on a stationary part comprising a casing aving an open face therein, a pair of spaced adjustable contacts within said casing, an extensible switch arm pivoted in said casing to swing between said contacts and extending through the open face thereof, a clamp adapted to be mounted on a movable part, an arm of insulating material held by said clamp, loosely connected tension springs operatively connecting said switch arm and clamp under tension, and a friction element mounted on said switch arm and normally held out of engagement with said casing when said springs are under tension, said friction element being adapted when the switch arm is in neutral position to frictionally engage with said casing to maintain said switch arm in such neutral position in the event of a slackening of tension on said springs.

4. An electric switch comprising an insulating casing open at one face thereof, a pair of spaced adjustable contacts wit iin said casing, an extensible switch arm pivoted in said casing to swing between said contacts and extending through the open face thereof, an attaching clamp for mounting on a movable part, a plurality of loosely connected extensible springs operatively connecting said switch arm and attaching clamp under tension, and a friction element mounted on said switch arm and normally held out of engagement with said casing when said switch arm and connecting springs are under tension, said friction element being adapted when the switch arm is in neutral position to frictionally engage with said casing to maintain said' switch arm in such neutral position in the event of a slackening of tension on the springs.

5. An electric switch comprising an insulating casing open atone face, a pair of spaced adjustable contacts within said casing, an extensible switch arm pivoted in said casing to swing between said contacts and extending through the open face thereof, said contacts having surfaces substantially coincident with that of said switch arm when the latter is caused to bear against the same, an attaching clamp for mounting on a movable part, a plurality of loosely connected e'xtensible springs operatively connecting said switch arm and attaching clamp under tension, and a friction element mounted on said switch arm and normally held out of engagement with said casing when said switch arm and connecting springs are under tension, said friction element being adapted when the switch arm is in neutral position to frictionally engage with said casing to maintain said switch arm in such neutral position in the event of a slackening of tension on the springs.

6. An electric switch for direction signals comprising an insulating block provided with a pocket opening onto one face thereof, a pair of spaced switch contacts mounted within the pocket and provided with concave surfaces, a helical spring switch arm pivoted in the pocket to swing between said contacts, and having its helix wholly contained within the pocket and provided with a connecting I eye extending through the opening of the pocket, said contacts being so disposed with relation to said switch arm that when the latter is caused to bear against either contact at its concave surface the contacting surfaces will be coincident, an attaching clamp for mounting on a movable part of the vehicle, a plurality of loosely connected helical springs operatively connecting said switch arm, at its connecting eye, with said attaching clamp under tension, and a friction element mounted on said connecting eye and normally held out of engagement with said block when said switch arm and connecting springs are under tension, said friction element being adapted, when the switch arm is in neutral position to frictionally engage with said block to maintain said switch arm in such neutral position in the event of a slackening of tension on the springs.

7. In an electric switch for mounting on a stationary part, the combination of an insulating block, adjustable contacts mounted in said block, an extensible switch arm pivoted to swing between said contacts, means operatively connecting said switch arm to a movable part under tension, and a gripping element mounted on said switch arm and normallyheld out of engagement with said block when said switch arm is under tension, said gripping element being adapted when said switch arm is in neutral position to frictionally engage with said block to maintain said switch arm in such neutral position in the event of a slackening of tension on said switch arm.

8. An electric switch comprising an insulating block provided with a pocket opening onto one face thereof, a pair of spaced switch contacts mounted within the pocket and provided with concave surfaces, a helical spring switch arm pivoted within the pocket to swing between said contacts and extending through the opening of the pocket, said contacts being so disposed with relation to said switch arm that when the latter is caused to bear against either contact at its concave surface the contacting surfaces will be coincident, an attaching clamp for mounting on a movable part of a vehicle, a plurality of loosely connected helical springs operatively connecting said switch arm with said attaching clamp under tension, and a friction element mounted on said switch arm and normally held out of engagement with said block when said switch arm and connecting springs are under tension, said friction element being adapted when the switch arm is in neutral position to frictionally engage with said block to maintain said switch arm in such neutral position in the event of a slackening of tension on the springs.

9. An electric switch for direction signals comprising a bracket adapted to be secured to a stationary part of a motor vehicle, an insulating block carried by said bracket, said block having a concave side surface and a pocket extending to the bottom of said block, a pair of paralleled spaced threaded switch contacts mounted within the pocket and provided with concave surfaces, a helical extensible spring switch arm pivoted in the pocket and adapted to swing between said contacts and having its helix wholly contained within said pocket, when retracted, said switch arm being provided with a connecting eye extending through the opening of the pocket, said contacts being so disposed with relation to said switch arm that when the latter is caused to bear against either contact at its concave surface to complete an electrical circuit, the contacting surfaces will be substantially coincident; an attaching clamp for mounting on a movable part of a vehicle, a pair of loosely connected helical extensible springs operatively connecting said switch arm, at its connecting eye, with said attaching clamp under tension, and a friction element mounted on said connecting eye and normally held out of engagement with the bottom of said block when said switch arm and connecting springs are under tension, said friction element being adapted, when the switch arm is in neutral position, to frictionally engage with said block to maintain said switch arm in such neutral position in the event of a slackening of tension on the springs.

10. An electric switch for direction signals comprising a bracket having means for attaching the same to a stationary part of a motor vehicle, a substantially rectangular insulating block carried by said bracket, said block having a concave side surface provided with a series of grooves for receiving conductors and a substantially bell-shaped pocket extending to the bottom of said block, a pair of paralleled spaced switch contacts mounted within the pocket and parallel to the bottom of said block, said contacts being threaded to adapt the same for mounting and provided with concave surfaces, a helically wound extensible spring switch arm pivoted in the pocketand adapted to swing between said contacts, and having its helix wholly contained within the pocket when retracted, and having a connecting eye extending through the opening of the pocket, said switch contacts being so disposed with relation to said switch arm that when the latter is caused to bear against either of said switch contacts, at their concave surfaces, to complete an electrical circuit, the contacting surfaces will be substantially coincident; an attaching clamp for mounting on a movable part of the vehicle, a pair of loosely connected helically wound extensible springs operatively connecting said switch arm, at its connecting eye, with said attaching clamp under tension, and a friction element mounted on the connecting eye of said switch arm and normally held out of engagement with the bottom of said block when said switch arm and connecting springs are under tension, said friction element being adapted, when the said switch arm is in neutral position, to frictionally engage with said block to maintain said switch arm in such neutral position in the event of a slackening of tension on the springs. I

11. The combination with a stationary part of a motor vehicle and the drag link of the steeringmechanism thereof, of a directional signal switch, a bracket carrying said switch and mounted on said stationary part, a block in the form of a casing included in said switch and being recessed in one side, a pair of spaced contacts disposed in said recess, a switch arm in the form of a coil spring and being pivotally secured in said block for movement in the recess between said contacts for engagement with any one thereof, a clamp mounted on said drag link, an extension arm projecting from said clamp, loosely connected coil sprlngs having one! of their free ends adjustably secured with respect to the extension arm and their opposite free end connected to the switch arm, with the loosely connected coil springs and the switch arm normally under tension, and a gripping member mounted on said switch arm for holding the latter in a position between the spaced contacts in the event of a slackening of tension on the switch arm.

12. A switch for directional signals comprising a block having a substantially V- shape recess formed therein, a bracket secured to said block for fixing the switch to a supporting means, a pair of spaced contacts arranged within said recess and disposed adj acent the open end thereof, a terminal arranged in said recess and disposed adj acent the closed end thereof, said block being provided with grooves for receiving wires for connecting with the terminal and spaced to swing be- 14. In an electric switch for mounting on a stationary part of an automobile and for cooperation with the drag link thereof, the combination of a casing having an open face, a pair of spaced contacts within said casing, an expansible coil spring forming a switch arm pivoted within said casing to swing between said contacts and extending through the open face of said casing, and a plurality of loosely coupled expansible coil springs, one free end of the plurality being loosely connected to the extending end of said switch arm and the other free end of the plurality being connected to said drag link, whereby the said springs are held under tension, the said coupling permitting the springs to move relatively with respect to each other.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

WILLIAM F. NEUBECK.

tween said spaced contacts and extending through the open end of the recess; said coil spring being normally under tension, a flexible rubber shield mounted on the coil spring for holding the coil spring in a position between the spaced contacts in the event of a slackening of tension on said switch arm, and means for closing the grooves. I

13. In combination with a stationary part of an automobile and the drag link of the steering mechanism thereof, of a direction signal switch mounted on said stationary part, said switch comprising a casing, a pair of spaced contacts in said casing, an e ansible coil spring forming a switch arm plvoted therebetween, a plurality of loosely connected expansible coil springs, one of the free ends of said springs being connected to said switch arm, and the other free end of said sp 'gs being connected under tension to said drag link. a 

